Coffin.



Nil-638,265. Patented Dec. 5, I899.

M. C. H. NICOLLE.

GOFFIN.

(Application filed Oct. 5, 1899.)

2 Sheets$haet i.-

(No Model.)

W/7/Vt'SSES: I

Patented Dec. 5, I899; M. C. H. NIGQLLE.v I

U 0 F F l N (Application filed on. 5, 1899.)

2 Sheets-'-Sheet :2.

(No Model.)

[NYE/V708 A TTDH VEYLS MARIE CONSTAN'RHIPPOLYTE NIOOLLE, OF.CESNY-BOIS-HALBOUT, FRANCE.

COFFIN.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 638,265, dated December5, 1899.

Application filed October 5 1899. Serial No. 732,701- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARIE CONSTANT HIP- POLYTE NIooLLn, independentgentleman, of Oesny-Bois-Halbout, (Calvados,) in the Republic of France,have invented Improvements in Coffins, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in coffins.

I have devised an improved coffin which permits the body to be keptduring a certain time until decomposition sets in and, moreover, enablesthe person inclosed inthe coffin to give warning if there has been amistake.

My invention will be readily understood from the following description,reference being had to the accompanying specimen drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a side View of my improved coftin with parts removed to showthe interior. Fig. 2 shows the mechanism displaced by the movement of aresuscitating person. Fig. 3 isa plan of the coffin, parts of the coversbeing removed to show the interior. Fig. 4 illustrates the method ofclosing the coffin after the fact of decease has been positivelyascertained. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the coffin, showing themechanism therein.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout thefigures of the drawings.

As shown in the drawings, my improved coffin comprises an interiorenvelop a of wood, a lining b of lead or the like, and an exteriorenvelop c.

At the head of the coffin the interior envelop a is not closed, and thesides a are brought toward each other to permit the Working of themechanism, as will be explained hereinafter.

The lead lining b is provided at the head end of the coffin with aglazed window (1, mounted in a gas-tight frame. A metallic frame e,resting on a caoutchouc washer or packing f, is arranged at the interioragainst the glass cl and the leaden envelop b- Simi larly, on theoutside there are a caoutchouc washer or packing g and a metallic frameh. Bolts't, provided with caoutchouc washers, extend through the framese and h and the envelop b and receive on the outside nuts j, which arelet in flush within the thickness of the frame It. The frame hisattached at each side at its lower part to a transverse piece 7t, andits upper part rests within a slot or groove Z, cut in the lid. Theexterior envelop c of the coffin is provided in front of the window 61With a small door m, which is adapted to turn upon the hinges 'n. A kindof double lever p is mounted by means of two ears or lugs upon theinterior frame 6. The central part of the said lever 19 forms a handleor folded part 19, while the free ends receive counterweights 1",preferably of lead. An arrangement t, supporting a hook t, which engagesin the handle 29 to maintain the counterweightsr elevated, is alsohinged by means of ears or lugs 3 upon the frame 6.

When a body is placed in the cofiin, the counterweights r are lifted andmaintained in this position by means of the book If, engaging in thehandle 19. The door m, arranged at the head of the coffin, is left open,so that through the window (1 the decomposition of the corpse can bewatched.

If a mistake has been made, the supposed corpse will be able to obtainair and summon assistance in the following manner: At the time ofrecovery the person will naturally raise the head. In making thismovement the person strikes'the arrangement t and releases the hook ifrom the handle 19. This handle, thus liberated by the action of thecounterweights 'r, swings against and breaks the glass (1. The personcan then breathe, since the glassbeing broken air is now admitted to theinterior of the coffin. Moreover, the glass in breaking makes sufficientsound to attract attention, or I can also by the breaking of the glassset in motion any convenient apparatus for sounding an alarm. Forexample, I arrange upon the projecting parts of the bolts t' a bar orarm lying in the path of and adapted to be pushed away by the handle 19,so as to put in operation a gongor any other suitable sound-producingdevice.

If the decomposition of the corpse sets'in, it is then certain thatdeath has taken place. Before removing the coffin for burial the windowd is covered with a sheet of caoutchouc to or other suitable packing anda plate of sheet-iron 1;, which is supported by a metallic frame 00,held in place by means of nuts 2', engaging the projecting ends of thebolts 1', as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. When this has been done,the small door m is closed and secured by screws to the lid of thecoffin,which can then be transported in the usual manner.

The shape, details, accessories, materials, and dimensions of myimproved coffin can be Varied without departing from the nature of mysaid'invention.

I claim .1. In combination in a coffin, a transparent fragile pane inthe head thereof, a pivoted arm adapted to break said pane, means forholding said arms away from the pane, said means being actuated by theperson in the coffin.

2. In combination in a coffin, a transparent fragile pane therein, apivoted lever having an end adapted to swing in contact with said paneto break the same, means for holding said arms away from the glass, saidmeans extending above the head-rest in said coffin to be released by theperson in said coffin.

3. In combination in a coffin, a fragile pane in the head thereof, abell-crank lever pivoted in proximity thereto having one arm weightedand its opposite arm adapted to swing in contact with said pane, and apivoted catch adapted to hold the latter arm away from the glass withthe weighted arm raised, said catch extending above the head of a personin said coi'iin, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a coffin, a fragile pane in the head thereof, meansarranged in said coffin for breaking said pane and a door adapted toclose the end of said coffin and cover said pane, substantially asdescribed.

The foregoing specification of my improvements in coffins signed by methis 21st day of September, 1899.

lllARlE CONSTANT lllPlOLY'lE NICOLLE,

Witnesses: EDWARD P. MAOLEAN,

MAURICE HENRI PIGNET.

